NHRA Summit Racing Series Southeast Division Finals-Friday from SGMP

ALBANY RACER PICKS UP WIN AT SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORSPORTS PARK'S SUMMIT RACING SERIES

CECIL, Ga. (October 14, 2006) - The top drivers in NHRA's Southeast Division Summit Racing Series have converged on South Georgia Motorsports Park to compete for team and individual honors at the 2006 Summit Racing Series Southeast Division Finals. Eliminations begin Saturday. Drivers in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Super Pro Bike categories represent 18 tracks vying for team and individual honors.

Friday's action featured the Race of Champions, a race within a race where the top points-earning drivers from each team square off in head-to-head competition. In Super Pro, Jon Joiner of Cocoa, Fla., representing Orlando (Fla.) Speedworld Dragway scored the win in his '81 Camaro. Joiner beat out Warwick, Ga., resident Tim Griffin who wheeled his '70 Nova for US 19 Dragway in Albany, Ga. Racing for the host track, Kenny Bevins of Albany, Ga., earned the win in Pro behind the wheel of his '86 Mustang, beating Cedar Bluff, Va., racer Tim Griffin who was running for Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway. Bobby DeBlaisio of Tampa, Fla., was the winner in the Sportsman class. Racing his '84 Monte Carlo for Sunshine Dragstrip in Clearwater, Fla., DeBlaisio got the win over Larry Doty, Margate, Fla., and his '83 Cougar repreenting Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach, Fla. In the Motorcycle class there was another Sunshine vs. Moroso final. This time, Moroso's Ed Ehrke of West Palm Beach got the win aboard his '73 Kawasaki. Dennis Stewart of St. Petersburg, Fla., was runner-up on his '78 Kawasaki.

Competitors in the High School class also had eliminations Friday and a third racer from Sunshine Dragstrip made a final-round appearance. Kyle Roberts of St. Petersburg drove his '83 Camaro to the win over A.J. Mullen, running for Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park.

In a lighter side of the action, South Georgia Motorsports Park track operator Shad Dean picked up the win in the manager's race. Dean beat John Baldwin from US 19 Dragstrip.

Gates will open at 8 a.m. for the NHRA Summit Racing Series Southeast Division Finals. Eliminations will start at 9 a.m.